‘Globalize the Intifada’: Peter Tatchell arrested at London Palestine march over ‘intifada’ placard
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Peter Tatchell arrested in London for holding a placard calling for nonviolent resistance against Israeli Occupation.
Veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was arrested on Saturday during a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London, according to reports by The Independent and the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
The 74-year-old was reportedly holding a placard that read: “Globalize the intifada: Nonviolent resistance. End Israel’s occupation of Gaza & West Bank.” Tatchell described his arrest as “an attack on free speech.”
Foundation condemns police action
The Peter Tatchell Foundation released a statement criticizing the arrest, saying:
“The police claimed the word intifada is unlawful. The word intifada is not a crime in law. The police are engaged in overreach by making it an arrestable offense. This is part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalize peaceful protests.”
Tatchell explained that the term intifada is Arabic for “uprising, rebellion, or resistance” against occupation, stressing that it does not denote violence or antisemitism, and is directed at the Israeli government, not Jewish people.
Police cite public order concerns
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest, stating:
“Officers policing the Palestine Coalition protest have arrested a 74-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offense. He was seen carrying a sign including the words ‘globalize the intifada.’”
Tatchell emphasizes nonviolent message
The activist’s placard explicitly called for nonviolent resistance, reading: “Globalise the intifada: Non-violent resistance. End Israel’s occupation of Gaza.” Tatchell’s foundation criticized the arrest as part of a broader trend to suppress peaceful protests and free expression in the UK.
